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Recognizing the Stages of Heat Illness

Heat illness comes in different stages, with heat stroke being the most severe and dangerous of them all. A Baylor College of Medicine expert provides information on how to recognize the progression of heat illness to keep you safe while enjoying outdoor activities during the hot summer months. “Heat illness tends to happen when the […]
The post Recognizing the Stages of Heat Illness first appeared on BlackPressUSA.

Published

2 years ago

June 21, 2023

Forward Times Staff

“Heat illness tends to happen when the body is unable to regulate its temperature due to overexertion or extended periods of time in high temperatures,” said Dr. Maria Carmenza Mejia, associate professor of family and community medicine at Baylor. “Conditions can range from mild discomfort to life threatening.”

Heat cramps are the initial sign of heat illness. Cramps and spasms will occur due to dehydration or an electrolyte imbalance, and if not attended to, can progress to heat exhaustion. During heat exhaustion, a person will experience fever, heavy sweating, weakness, dizziness, headache, or nausea.

At this stage, it is also possible for people to experience heat syncope – a fainting or dizziness episode triggered by a decreased blood flow to the brain due to standing for long periods in high heat or quickly rising from the sitting or lying position in a hot environment. Without care, heat exhaustion progresses to heat stroke.

Heatstroke is a life-threatening condition that occurs when the body’s temperature rises rapidly above 104°F and the body can no longer control its temperature and is unable to cool down. In serious cases, heat stroke can lead to seizures or loss of consciousness. Heatstroke requires emergency treatment. Untreated heatstroke can quickly damage your brain, heart, kidneys, and muscles.

Fortunately, once the symptoms of heat illness are recognized, there are simple tactics to prevent it from advancing. When heat cramps begin to set in, Mejia says to stop any physical activity and move to a cool place inside and air-conditioned, if possible. Fan the skin to cool it down and begin to hydrate. If you suspect someone is experiencing heat exhaustion, move them to a cool place and try to bring the body temperature down. If the person cannot keep fluids down or if you believe the person is experiencing a heat stroke, call emergency medical services immediately. While waiting for paramedics to arrive, try to place ice packs in the arm pit, groin, neck, and back areas.

If planning to spend excess time in the heat, Mejia encourages people to be proactive in combatting heat illness:

Wear lightweight, loose-fitting and light-colored clothing.
Drink lots of water, remembering that it is possible to be dehydrated even if you are not thirsty.
In addition to water, our body needs electrolytes. Choose an electrolyte drink or solution that’s low in sugar like sports drinks or powder-based electrolyte additives.
Try to plan your activities during the morning and evening when temperatures are cooler.
Take breaks every 15 to 20 minutes, away from the sun or heat.
Wear sunscreen because sunburned skin can impair the body’s ability to cool itself.
If you are working outside in the heat, use the buddy system in case you encounter heat illness.

“Children, elderly individuals and those with chronic conditions that hinder the body’s ability to cool itself are at a higher risk of heat illness,” Mejia said. “Children spending lots of time in the sun also may experience heat rash, which happens when sweat ducts get clogged and small bumps or blisters form. Treat this by keeping the affected area dry, cool, and undisturbed. If you are 65 years of age or older, have a friend or relative call to check on you twice a day during a heat wave.”

In addition to individual preventative measures, Mejia encourages communities to provide safe environments for people to enjoy outdoor activities during the summer months. Parks and outdoor spaces with lots of shaded areas minimize the amount of time spent in direct heat and cooling centers assist families without access to consistent air conditioning. Mejia also encourages people to be aware of communal air monitoring systems that provide reports on air quality, pollution, and ozone levels as they can provide information for people with respiratory issues.

“Access to these kinds of environments and resources can reduce the amount of heat related illnesses, so it’s important for people to be aware of these things to stay safe and healthy in hotter months,” Mejia said.

The post Recognizing the Stages of Heat Illness appeared first on Forward Times.

The post Recognizing the Stages of Heat Illness first appeared on BlackPressUSA.

Forward Times Staff

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Black Feminist Movement Mobilizes in Response to National Threats

BLACKPRESSUSA NEWSWIRE — More than 500 Black feminists will convene in New Orleans from June 5 through 7 for what organizers are calling the largest Black feminist gathering in the United States.

Published

5 days ago

May 30, 2025

Stacy M. Brown

By Stacy M. Brown
Black Press USA Senior National Correspondent

More than 500 Black feminists will convene in New Orleans from June 5 through 7 for what organizers are calling the largest Black feminist gathering in the United States. The event, led by the organization Black Feminist Future, is headlined by activist and scholar Angela Y. Davis. Paris Hatcher, executive director of Black Feminist Future, joined Black Press USA’s Let It Be Known to outline the mission and urgency behind the gathering, titled “Get Free.” “This is not just a conference to dress up and have a good time,” Hatcher said. “We’re building power to address the conditions that are putting our lives at risk—whether that’s policing, reproductive injustice, or economic inequality.” Hatcher pointed to issues such as rising evictions among Black families, the rollback of bodily autonomy laws, and the high cost of living as key drivers of the event’s agenda. “Our communities are facing premature death,” she said.

Workshops and plenaries will focus on direct action, policy advocacy, and practical organizing skills. Attendees will participate in training sessions that include how to resist evictions, organize around immigration enforcement, and disrupt systemic policies contributing to poverty and incarceration. “This is about fighting back,” Hatcher said. “We’re not conceding anything.” Hatcher addressed the persistent misconceptions about Black feminism, including the idea that it is a movement against men or families. “Black feminism is not a rejection of men,” she said. “It’s a rejection of patriarchy. Black men must be part of this struggle because patriarchy harms them too.” She also responded to claims that organizing around Black women’s issues weakens broader coalitions. “We don’t live single-issue lives,” Hatcher said. “Our blueprint is one that lifts all Black people.”

The conference will not be streamed virtually, but recaps and updates will be posted daily on Black Feminist Future’s YouTube channel and Instagram account. The event includes performances by Tank and the Bangas and honors longtime activists including Billy Avery, Erica Huggins, and Alexis Pauline Gumbs. When asked how Black feminism helps families, Hatcher said the real threat to family stability is systemic oppression. “If we want to talk about strong Black families, we have to talk about mass incarceration, the income gap, and the systems that tear our families apart,” Hatcher said. “Black feminism gives us the tools to build and sustain healthy families—not just survive but thrive.”

Stacy M. Brown

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Hoover’s Commutation Divides Chicago as State Sentence Remains

BLACKPRESSUSA NEWSWIRE — Hoover was convicted of murder and running a criminal enterprise. Although some supporters describe him as a political prisoner, the legal and public safety concerns associated with his name remain substantial.

Published

6 days ago

May 29, 2025

Stacy M. Brown

By Stacy M. Brown
Black Press USA Senior National Correspondent

The federal sentence for Gangster Disciples founder Larry Hoover has been commuted, but he remains incarcerated under a 200-year state sentence in Illinois. The decision by Donald Trump to reduce Hoover’s federal time has reignited longstanding debates over his legacy and whether rehabilitation or continued punishment is warranted. The commutation drew immediate public attention after music executive Jay Prince and artist Chance the Rapper publicly praised Trump’s decision. “I’m glad that Larry Hoover is home,” said Chance the Rapper. “He was a political prisoner set up by the federal government. He created Chicago Votes, mobilized our people, and was targeted for that.”

But Hoover, the founder of the Gangster Disciples, is not home—not yet. Now in federal custody at the Florence Supermax in Colorado, Hoover was convicted of murder and running a criminal enterprise. Although some supporters describe him as a political prisoner, the legal and public safety concerns associated with his name remain substantial. “There is a divide in the Black community here,” said Chicago journalist Jason Palmer during an appearance on the Let It Be Known morning program. “Some view Hoover as someone who brought structure and leadership. Others remember the violence that came with his organization.” Palmer explained that while Hoover’s gang originally formed for protection, it grew into a criminal network responsible for extensive harm in Chicago. He also noted that Hoover continued to run his organization from state prison using coded messages passed through visitors, prompting his transfer to federal custody.

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker, who is widely considered a potential 2028 presidential contender, has not issued a statement. Palmer suggested that silence is strategic. “Releasing Hoover would create enormous political consequences,” Palmer said. “The governor’s in a difficult spot—he either resists pressure from supporters or risks national backlash if he acts.” According to Palmer, Hoover’s federal commutation does not make him a free man. “The federal sentence may be commuted, but he still has a 200-year state sentence,” he said. “And Illinois officials have already made it clear they don’t want to house him in state facilities again. They prefer he remains in federal custody, just somewhere outside of Colorado.”

Palmer also raised concerns about what Hoover’s case could signal for others. “When R. Kelly was convicted federally, state prosecutors in Illinois and Minnesota dropped their charges. If a president can commute federal sentences based on public pressure or celebrity support, others like R. Kelly or Sean Combs could be next,” Palmer said. “Meanwhile, there are thousands of incarcerated people without fame or access to public platforms who will never get that consideration.” “There are people who are not here today because of the violence connected to these organizations,” Palmer said. “That has to be part of this conversation.”

Stacy M. Brown

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WATCH: Five Years After George Floyd: Full Panel Discussion | Tracey’s Keepin’ It Real | Live Podcast Event

Join us as we return to the city where it happened and speak with a voice from the heart of the community – Tracey Williams-Dillard, CEO/Publisher of the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder.

Published

1 week ago

May 28, 2025

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https://youtube.com/watch?v=OsNLWTz6jU0&feature=oembed

May 25, 2020. The world stopped and watched as a life was taken.

But what has happened since?

Join us as we return to the city where it happened and speak with a voice from the heart of the community – Tracey Williams-Dillard, CEO/Publisher of the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder.

She shares reflections, insights, and the story of a community forever changed. What has a year truly meant, and where do we go from here?

This is more than just a date; it’s a moment in history. See what one leader in the Black press has to say about it.

Recorded live at UROC in Minneapolis, this powerful discussion features:

Panelists: